Boeing delivers first production Grey Wolf to US Air Force
Boeing has 26 MH-139As on contact. (Photo: Boeing)
Boeing has delivered the first LRIP MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter to the USAF, marking a major milestone in a US$2.4 billion programme to replace the force’s UH-1N Huey helicopters.
In 2024, USAF ordered an additional seven MH-139As from Boeing with six Research, Development, Test and Evaluation aircraft already delivered. Boeing currently has 26 aircraft on contract.
The aircraft is the military variant of the AW139. Leonardo produces the helicopter at its plant in northeast Philadelphia and Boeing is responsible for military equipment procurement and installation and post-delivery support of the aircraft.
The aircraft has a particular role in USAF service for protecting nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile bases in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota but is also used to transport US officials and security forces.
It has an increased carrying capacity over the AW139 it is based on with a 300kg increase in load. The company has highlighted the commonality between the two versions as a way to reduce operating costs and improve the supply chain.
In December 2018 it was announced that FLIR Systems had been selected by Boeing to provide its Star Safire 380-HDc EO/IR surveillance sensor for the first four aircraft.
If February 2020, the USAF announced that it had started the operational fight tests of MH-139. The tests were conducted by Detachment 7 of Duke Field in collaboration with 413th Fight Test Squadron.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
Netherlands signs deal for eight PC-7 MKX training aircraft
The eight new aircraft will also be joined by four flight simulators, the former replacing the air force’s current Pilatus PC-7 training aircraft by 2027.
-
Why the F-16 fighter jet remains a force to be reckoned with (updated 2025)
The Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jet remains in the limelight more than 40 years after its first flight. Shephard sums up the latest developments and details everything you need to know about the aircraft in 2025.
-
Ukraine’s fighter fleet boosted with France’s Mirage 2000s and extra Netherlands’ F-16s
The first Dassault Mirage 2000 aircraft have finally been delivered to Ukraine, as confirmed by France’s defence minister on 6 February. They will join the F-16s already in service to bolster Ukrainian air defence.
-
Indian defence budget boosted by 9% as MoD heralds a “year of reforms”
This new budget announcement, which has an increased focus on domestic procurement, comes as international countries arrive ahead of Aero India 2025.